Where to Stay in Whistler, Canada
Budget to Luxury

May 2, 2025
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Whether you are headed to Whistler to check out the world-famous ski resort or for some mountain-biking once the snow is gone, it is a bucketlist experience year-round. I have summarised all the best places to stay in this famous Canadian town, whether on a budget or splurging.

I have recently found myself in Whistler for the second time and I can honestly say it never loses its charm. It is just a quintessential Canadian ski town and I love it. From the many souvenir shops to the amazing bars and restaurants to the nature.

That being said, Whistler is, as is the rest of Canada, a very expensive place for a holiday. Especially around Christmas and throughout the ski season in general, prices skyrocket. It is still possible to find more affordable stays and I have already done the hard work for you in this blog post which is finding them.

So, whether you are looking for an affordable stay or the most luxurious experience possible, here are the best hostels, campgrounds and hotels in Whistler at different price points:

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Where to stay in Whistler, Canada for any traveller:

Whistler is a pretty expensive town, especially during peak winter season and also the summer high-season. Hotel prices will skyrocket around Christmas and other holidays. That being said, it is still possible to find somewhat affordable stays and good quality for price. I would recommend booking as early as possible if you are planning to come for skiing in the winter as hostels and hotels will book out quickly and prices will only rise the closer you get. Here are my favourite hotels, hostels and even campgrounds at all different price points, whether you are on a budget or looking to splurge:

Affordable hostels in Whistler

HI Whistler – part of the HI hostel association that you will find all over Canada, this is a nice hostel a short drive (or bus-ride) outside of Whistler. It is affordable with nice rooms and facilities.

Whistler Lodge Hostel – located within walking distance to ski lifts and the village, this hostel offers mountain-chique vibes. Dorm rooms also have privacy curtains, which us travellers love!

Pangea Pod Hotel – this hostel offers fantastic bang for your buck. It is slightly more expensive than the other hostels, but located right in the heart of Whistler and the pods offer lots of privacy and a great night’s sleep.

Hotels at different price points in Whistler:

$ Aava Whistler Hotel – an affordable hotel close to Whistler city center that offers a pool and hot tub as well as nice rooms.

$ Listel Whistler, a Coast Hotel – located right in Whistler city center and only a short walk to the lifts, this hotel offers basic rooms at a very fair price.

$$ Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre – right by the lifts, this hotel has a lot on offer. From apres-ski to hot tubs, a salt water pool and delicious breakfast, you can’t go wrong here.

$$ Delta Hotels Whistler Village Suites – a central hotel that offers lots of amenities at a mid-level price. Some facilities are a little outdated, but it does have a pool and fitness center.

$$$ Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Fairmont is famous for offering luxury across Canada’s top destinations and it is no different in Whistler. It is ski-in/ski-out, has a spa, pools, restaurants and in house ski equipment rental.

$$$ Four Seasons Resort Whistler – if you want a truly seamless, luxury experience, this is the hotel for you. From a concierge to help you with your ski equipment to flawless service to beautiful rooms and amenities, it is perfect.

Best Campgrounds in or near Whistler:

Riverside | A parkbridge Camping and RV Resort – the closest camping place to Whistler city. They have full and partial service as well as tent sites. They are also open in winter.

Cal Cheak Campground – Open from Apr 18 – Oct 31, this campsite is basic but also only 15 CAD per night. It’s a 22 minute drive from Whistler.

Whistler RV Park and Campground– This campground is open year-round and located a 15-minute drive south of Whistler. Rates range from 55-70 CAD per night.

Nairn Falls Campground – Open from Mid May to End of September, this campground is a 20 minute drive north of Whistler and has pit toilets and fire pits for 22CAD.

How to get to Whistler?

The closest airport to Whistler is Vancouver International Airport (YVR). From there, it takes around 2.5-3 hours to Whistler. There are several ways to get from Vancouver Airport to Whistler:

The most affordable option would be by bus. It is also really convenient, especially if you are travelling with a bunch of ski equipment. The buses running are YVR Skylynx, Epic Rides and newly Whistler Shuttle. Skylynx and Whistler Shuttle go directly from the airport, Epic Rides only from Vancouver downtown (it’s easy to get there from the airport using the Skytrain and a contactless card).
If you are planning a roadtrip or coming in the summer to explore more of the area and its incredible hikes, you will likely be renting a car. Click here to check out some affordable rental options. The drive to Whistler is around 2-2.5 hours and goes along the beautiful Sea-to-Sky highway.
If you are looking for even more convenience or are a bigger group, a private shuttle or taxi may be a good option. Some examples are Whistler Limousines and Whistler Connection. These will likely all set you back more than 300CAD.

How to get around Whistler by public transport:

Whistler has a good public transportation system consisting of buses. I use Google Maps to plan my routes but you can also use the BC transit website. A single ride is 2.50CAD or 7CAD for a day pass.

You can either pay cash if you have the exact fare or get a ticket at a vendor or use the Umo App.

How many days do you need in Whistler?

I think it really depends on what you are looking to do. You don’t need more than one day to see the city. However, if you are looking to ski I would say at least 3-5 days. If you are looking to hike in the area in summer you may also want to stay 3 or more days.